Chapter Five

Matt's meeting with Phillip had gone long, and it had been overwhelming. Phillip may have gone a bit overboard with the gadgets, but he supposed he would do the same if his parents were going to a remote location with only one official agent nearby for backup. Matt had wondered how much they could rely on the translator Lee had secured. At least he would have a few days before he needed to brief Lee and Amanda on their equipment. Matt sighed. He knew he should be honored, but he was starting to feel the pressure. They were Sarah's parents, too. On one hand, he was glad to be personally responsible for backing them up, but on the other hand, he would never forgive himself if anything happened.

Who am I kidding? What are they thinking? I've been with the Agency for a matter of months. Matt knew his freshman status had been abbreviated because of his Army Intelligence background, but the incident with the cartel had rattled him. What if someone gets the better of me again? As if on cue, one of the occasional sharp pains from his still-healing bruise reminded him further of the beating he had taken. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair, which was starting to become uncomfortably long. I'm acting like a whiny kid. I need to get out of this funk before I pick up Sarah.

Matt, weary from the briefing, began packing the equipment in the suitcase Phillip had given him. It was designed to look like teleconferencing and computer equipment, but in reality, the various devices were intended to interfere with servers for the purpose of defeating security systems, connect to satellites for secure data transmission, and other intelligence uses.

Just then Phillip breezed back into the room with an extra cable and handed it to Matt. "Francine is talking about having Besetti and Cartwright back you up after you get to Kazakhstan."

"That's news to me."

"She's working it out with Barclay. Sort of a sticky situation to send any one operative to Kazakhstan, let alone five agents."

"I'll keep my ears open—see how she wants us to handle it." Matt was busy with the equipment, anxious to get to his appointment with Kirby so he could leave for the day.

Phillip watched him. "So, I think it's great you're dating my sister. I was glad to see you at the house on Sunday." He leaned back in his chair. "I hope you'll make it to our next get together. It's right before you go on your trip. Lee and Mom should be there."

"I guess that depends upon Sarah inviting me and how ready I am for the trip. We leave that Monday evening."

"I just hope Lee gave you the lecture about agents dating his family. I think you're a great guy, Matt, and I consider you a friend, but I'd hate to see Sarah get hurt. Or you unhappy."

At Matt's expression, Phillip continued quickly. "I'm sorry—I didn't mean hurt by you. The rumor mill around here can be vicious. I guess it was pretty bad in my parents' day, and it hasn't improved since then. Typical office stuff, I guess."

Matt was defensive. "I've not made it a practice to share my personal life with anyone except my partner—and your family. I don't intend to start now, that's for certain."

"I know, Matt. But secrets get out."

"I've been working in intelligence for a few years, now. I guess fellow operatives can get the better of each other now and then, but I know a few tricks."

"Well, like I said to Amy, I think you and Sarah are good for each other. She was the only child for a long time, and she's known nothing but this business all of her life. It's nice for her to have someone who understands that, and I would bet it's nice for you that she understands what you do."

"Yeah." Matt relaxed a little. "It's been easy to get to know each other. I got tired of dating when I was Army Intelligence, but at least I could say I was in the military. A lot of girls stop listening—they don't want details." He watched Phillip as he spoke. The man may not have Jamie's tact, but he cared, too. He thought of his own sisters. I can't even watch out for them like I used to…

"Well, let me know if you have any questions. You should go over all of this a few times before you leave. Do you want me to brief my parents, or do you want to do it?"

"I should do it. I'll do a few dry runs with the equipment. If I can brief them, I should be good on my own."

"Let Mom help you with it. She's really handy with the tech stuff, once you explain it to her." Phillip snorted. "Lee never has liked it much. He just wanted gadgets."

"Thanks for the tip. See you around."

"Don't forget—you're welcome to come next Sunday. It will be at Jamie's this time. We get together every other week."

Matt knew that Phillip had meant well, but he was a bit rattled as he went to his appointment with Kirby. He was glad to finally leave for the weekend.

"Hey, Matt! Wait up." Rene was not moving as fast as usual, so Matt stopped for him.

"How are those ribs?"

"Not great, yet. Hey, I haven't seen you all day."

"Meetings. Getting ready for this assignment. I leave a week from Monday. As you know, I met with Kirby, too. Hopefully for the last time."

"Yeah. I'm hoping the same. That shrink gives me the willies." Rene gave a mock shudder and decided to change the subject. "How was your date last night?"

Matt checked his watch. He needed to get to the grocery store.

Rene put a hand on Matt's arm. "Talk to me, Matt. Did you and Sarah have a nice time?"

Matt forced himself to stop and talk with his partner and friend. They had both been busy with individual assignments the last few days and had had little time to catch up. Rene had plied the little information he had from Matt over lunch the day before. "It was great."

"I'm glad I talked you into going to that dance class last week. It seems like things are really taking off for you two."

"Yeah. She's pretty amazing, Rene. We really enjoy just being together."

"She's a beautiful girl, Matt. Just don't forget how young she is, if you know what I mean."

Matt glared at Rene. "Man, your mind is in the gutter."

"Sorry. Just reminding you to go slow, my friend."

"I have only the best intentions, Rene. And she is a grown woman."

"I know. I guess I'm thinking of Patti and me when we first started dating. I was an idiot, but she straightened me out pretty quick one night. I think we have a better relationship now because she got me to slow things down then."

Matt was quiet a moment. He knew Rene meant well. "Thanks for caring, Rene. I'd better get going."

"Listen, have a good time this weekend."

"You, too. Take it easy."

As the two agents emerged in their vehicles from the Agency garage and went their separate ways, a figure watched from a car across the street. It pulled out into traffic and followed Matt.

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The weekend crowds had made his quick grocery store trip a lengthy endeavor. Then there was the tail he'd had to shake. He never did get a plate, or a good look at the driver, for that matter. He'd have to report it, and then get the grief for have no real intel on the incident.

Matt checked the car clock as he pulled up to the house on Maplewood Drive. Six forty-five. Only fifteen minutes late, and he had called Sarah when he had left his apartment. Matt knew he needed to relax. I just want everything for tonight to be perfect.

He was halfway up the walk when Sarah came out of the house and locked the door.

"Hey, Sarah. Sorry I'm running late."

"Hi, Matt. Please don't worry about it. It gave me some time to check a few things—houseplants, that sort of thing." She smiled up at him in reassurance as he joined her by the door. He took the opportunity to give her a quick kiss on the cheek. She returned the greeting.

Matt helped her into the car before getting in himself. "I picked up a few things at the store for tomorrow."

"Great! I have a few things, too. There's probably enough for lunch after church on Sunday, too."

The conversation was light all the way through dinner. Matt told her what he could about his meeting with Phillip, and Sarah chatted about her progress on the Cold War intelligence exhibit.

"We're supposed to have a black tie affair when it opens in September. Do you think you'd like to come? I know my parents will probably opt out because they wouldn't want to be identified as being with me. I can't even use my real name."

Matt watched Sarah's face as she attempted to be nonchalant. He could see she was putting on a brave front. He took her hand. "I'd be honored to go."

"Would you really? Will it be a problem? We won't be on television or anything—you can keep a low profile." She grinned. "There may be dancing, too."

Matt grinned back. "Even better. We can finally waltz—or tango—at a real party. I'll make sure that Mrs. Beaman okays it, but it should be fine."

Sarah smiled happily and reached over to give Matt a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for dinner, Matt. It was delicious. You'll have to give me the recipe."

"It's a pretty easy one that my mom gave me. I'd be happy to share it. Would you like to pick out a DVD while I start the dishes?"

When Sarah joined Matt in the kitchen, he decided to try to finish their conversation. This exhibit opening was the first big event of her career and Lee and Amanda might not even go. He wondered if it was right to use Class C interrogation techniques on his girlfriend. I guess if you're hoping she'll open up about something important.

"It seems like you and your parents are really close… I mean, closer than a lot of other people are with their parents."

Sarah grew thoughtful and slowly wiped the dish she was holding. "Yes, we are. My mom told me once that Daddy had never thought he'd have children of his own. He loves my brothers like his own, but I guess it's just not the same. Daddy was always trying to spoil me, and Mom was always trying to keep me from being spoiled. It was kind of funny, sometimes. Mom did indulge our time together, though. Sometimes I spent more time with him than with her. Daddy taught me all of my martial arts." Sarah put the dish down and took another. She sighed. "Despite all that time with Dad, I'm still close to my Mom, too. It was really helpful to her when I came to Georgetown about the same time Grandma died."

"But?"

Sarah hesitated. She did not like to share negative things about her family. She looked at Matt's face. He seemed to know she was bothered and was hoping she would share the reason. "I haven't talked with anyone, not even Mom and Daddy, about this…"

Matt dried his hands and went to take hers in his own. She looked down at his large hands holding her smaller ones. He makes me feel safe. "I really worry about my parents sometimes. I do my best not to, but I just can't help it."

Matt waited.

"I know they have tried to stay out of the field, but here they are going back into it again. They aren't as young as they used to be. Daddy used to spar with me all the time. It was almost a game we played, once I had learned most of the moves. We haven't done it in a few years. I'm sure he can still handle himself, but…"

Sarah looked up at Matt's face to see he was listening quietly. "I guess I envy you. You're going to be with them night and day."

"Oh." Matt was troubled. "Sarah, you need to spend time alone with your parents this week when they get back." He searched her face.

"If they're able to." Sarah looked down at their hands again.

"Of course you can. They'll need to eat. Make them dinner on Thursday." Matt released one of her hands and brought his free hand up to Sarah's face. He touched it gently. "I'm sorry that we're leaving you here—and I will do everything in my power to back them up so we all come home safely."

Sarah smiled up at him. "I'm sorry to burden you with all this. They are wonderful parents. I love them so much that I can't help worrying about them." She paused and Matt squeezed her hands in reassurance. "I know what happens in the field—even if everyone thinks I don't. I just needed to talk about it. I never get to share this stuff with anyone." She reached up to put her hand over his briefly before moving away to finish drying the dishes.

Matt remembered his conversation with Phillip. You and Sarah are good for each other. "You know, I started working out again yesterday. Maybe we could go for a run on Sunday afternoon. We could even try sparring a little."

Sarah looked Matt over and was quiet a minute. Self-conscious, he wondered at her hesitation.

Finally, she laughed nervously. "Umm, have you ever sparred with a girl?"

"Oh, you're afraid I'll be rough on you?"

"Maybe. You're pretty buff and I've barely got any muscles."

"Listen, I'm not planning to wrestle you." Matt blushed slightly at the implication. "I was just going to give you someone to practice on. Maybe you can take me out. Besides, sparring will help those muscles. That, and I can give you a few lifting exercises to try."

Sarah smiled to herself. "Maybe I can take you out." She grew a little more serious. "Maybe you could help me figure out how to do that knifehand strike properly—I don't want to break my hand next time."

"As long as you don't use it on me. I've seen you in action." They laughed together.

Matt had trouble focusing on the DVD. Sarah's nearness was enticing, but he felt uncomfortable, remembering his talk with Rene. She had snuggled up to him again, and he could not help wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

As the movie ended, Sarah turned to Matt. "You seem troubled this evening—I noticed it when you picked me up, and again during the movie." At Matt's expression, she finished quickly. "I've had a wonderful time, but you seem…unhappy…or something." She put her hand on his arm. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Matt sat quietly for a moment. He didn't want to tell Sarah what Rene had said, but he had been wondering if they should talk. He was worried that he might be moving too fast for her. First that kiss in her parents' kitchen. Then last night. He had had trouble going to sleep afterwards. His mind had kept reliving their evening. Even though they had known each other for almost two months, they had only officially dated for a week. He had been on dates before, even dating a few girls several times. But his heart had been in his work and he knew it wasn't right to keep leading them on.

Sarah was different. She was like the confidante he'd always longed for. He felt more than emotionally drawn to her—it was physical, too. He had never kissed anyone like that before. The intensity of the feelings that he had felt…

"I'm worried that I'm pushing you too much."

"I don't understand."

"Except for our lunches, we've only been alone together a few times. I'm worried that I've rushed things. Especially after last night." It was so wonderful, though.

Sarah was dumbfounded. "But you've been the perfect gentleman."

"I'm afraid that I'm rushing things when we…kiss like we did last night."

Sarah shifted on the sofa so she could look into Matt's eyes. He avoided her gaze, looking at his lap instead.

She placed a hand on his cheek. "Most guys would have asked for more by now."

He searched her face and saw the look of affection in her eyes. Why do I listen to all these people? Things just seem so right when we're together. "It's been a long day. I guess I'm letting things get to me. I suppose I worry too much…"

"I love how things are with us, Matt. You're not rushing me."

Sarah leaned slightly towards Matt and let her fingers run through his hair. Suddenly he did not care that he had missed his hair cut. He closed his eyes and was pleasantly surprised when Sarah brought her lips to his. He put his arms around her and held her tightly to him even after they broke the kiss. All the stress of the day seemed to fade away as he relished the warmth of their embrace. "I'm so glad I picked your car that night."

Sarah sighed as she moved to rest her head again his chest. She put her arms around his waist and relaxed against him as he stroked her hair. "Me, too."

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The constant motion of the ship was agony. Alexei could find no comfort in his bunk. Sergey had done his best to clean things and keep a bucket available, but the smell was always there. Clearly Alexei was not meant for ocean travel. At least not on this cargo ship.

"Try to sip this, Alexei. You need some fluids."

He tried to turn his head, but Sergey followed his mouth with the cup. Acquiescing, he took a small sip. "Thank you for taking care of me, Sergey."

"How could I face my sister if something happened to you?"

Gyorgi watched from the chair opposite. He had no patience with sick people and could not understand Sergey's benevolence. "Thankfully we dock in Istanbul in the morning. I can go find some clean bedding and get rid of this stink."

Sergey shot Gyorgi a look. "Perhaps you could pick up some soda for Alexei, too."

"Perhaps. Meanwhile, we should go to dinner soon."

At the mention of food, Sergey grabbed the bucket out of concern that Alexei would be sick. But he simply moaned and shut his eyes.

Turning back to Gyorgi, he hissed at him. "Gyorgi! Nyet! You are always treating me like an imbecile. You are the imbecile. Think before you speak. Go on. I will join you in a minute." He attempted to get Alexei to take another sip of water before he left to join Gyorgi.

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Lee watched Amanda clear the dishes as he took another sip of coffee. "Why don't you leave those for now? What's the rush?"

"I don't know. I guess I just want to clean things up and get it over with." Amanda always felt antsy when she sat at the breakfast table too long. She no longer felt overwhelmed with fatigue. Her old energy was back, and she was eager to do something.

"Well, you ran on the treadmill this morning, made yourself breakfast, and sat down for maybe thirty minutes. We're on vacation. Let's enjoy the chance to take it easy. I'll clean the dishes in a little bit."

"I want to take a shower…"

Lee put his cup down. "Now, I would be happy to help you there."

"Oh Lee..."

Amanda looked at him. That dimpled grin always helped him get his way. She knew she should relax. She had taken the run in the hopes of working off some of her restless energy, but it hadn't really worked. She put the dishes by the sink, and then turned back towards Lee. "How about we go down to the water and take a walk?"

The dimpled grin faded a little.

"Of course we'll have to wash off the sand later…"

The dimpled grin was back. "Really?"

"Yeah." Amanda could not help but smile back. "Are you coming or not, Stetson?"

She did not have to ask again.